If art in secular societies plays some part in defining humanity, how have artists such as John Akomfrah, Nick Broomfield and Patrick Keiller met the challenges laid forth by globalisation's increasingly pervasive and invasive brand of technocapitalism?

'When, occasionally, the shameful excesses, inadequacies and inequalities underpinning consumerism are glimpsed in news media, these "shocking facts" become yet more fleeting images, commodified emotions of momentary indignation and injustice.'